Digital TV Providers

Freeview

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

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If you don’t want to sign-up to a monthly subscription for your digital TV, you can get the basic channels through Freeview for free. (Updated 16/11/09)

When the digital switchover is finished in 2012, and the old analogue signal has been turned off, every household in Britain will have digital television.

There are lots of ways in which you can receive the digital signal, but the cheapest is Freeview. After making a one-off payment you’ll have access to all the original terrestrial channels, plus all the new free-to-view digital channels as well. Visit www.freeview.co.uk for more information.

Virgin TV + Phone + Broadband Over 100 channels Up to 10Mb broadband Only £23.50 a month

Sky TV + Freetime + Broadband 1 Sky TV pack + Sky+HD box Base broadband + Talk Freetime From just £18.00 a month

What is Freeview?

Freeview is the range of non-subscription digital channels and radio stations that will replace the current terrestrial channels.

When your area switches to digital you won’t be able to watch analogue TV any longer, so at the very least, you’ll have to get a Freeview digibox if you want to carry on watching TV.

Freeview is the cheapest way to continue watching as you make only one payment for your hardware, and there is no monthly subscription.

Why should I get Freeview?

If you want to keep watching TV after the switchover but don’t want to commit to a contract and a monthly subscription, then you’ll have to get Freeview.

As well as being able to watch all the current terrestrial channels - BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 - you’ll receive a growing number of digital-only channels and radio, such as BBC3 and ITV2.

Depending on the hardware you buy, you might even be able to send emails via your TV, or do online shopping. The interactive facilities of digital TV are always expanding so keep a look out for new services.

What do I need for Freeview?

You must live in a Freeview area to receive Freeview.

Use our postcode checker to see if you live in a Freeview area. It is currently available to around 70% of the UK.

To receive the Freeview channels you need to have the right hardware. You can buy a Freeview box from as little as £20, which you simply plug into the back of your TV. Digital recorders (PVRs) are also set up to receive Freeview. As VCRs run on the analogue signal, they will become redundant after the switchover, so you should invest in a digital recorder. These allow you to record programmes onto their internal memory, pause and even rewind “live” television.

If you need a new TV you could opt for a digital one with Freeview built in - again, all you have to do is just plug it in.

All digital subscription packages come with a digital signal receiver and include all Freeview channels as standard.

BT Total Broadband customers can also access Freeview over broadband by getting BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com) - BT’s free, no-contract TV service which has optional pay-to-view add-ons and subscription services. However, you will have to live in a Freeview area to receive this.

How much does Freeview cost?

The cost of Freeview depends on how you receive it. Freeview boxes start at around £20, while some high-definition (HD) ready, integrated digital TVs can cost more than £1,000.

If you go for a subscription service your hardware will probably be free but you’ll be tied into a contract and have to pay a monthly fee.

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